Sindh CM Orders Crackdown on Bandits in Katcha, Illegal Tankers in Karachi

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed authorities to intensify operations against bandits in the Katcha areas and eliminate illegal water tankers in Karachi.

Presiding over a high-level meeting on security and development works, the CM said that as floodwaters have receded in Katcha, criminals are expected to resurface. He ordered intelligence-based operations to be further accelerated.

Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar and Inspector General Police Ghulam Nabi Memon briefed the meeting, informing that since October 2024, 760 targeted and 352 search operations had been carried out using technology. From January 2024 till now, 159 dacoits have been killed—including 10 in Sukkur, 14 in Ghotki, 46 in Kashmore, and 89 in Shikarpur—while 823 criminals were arrested, including eight most-wanted bandits. During the operations, 962 weapons of various types were recovered.

Murad Ali Shah stressed that the elimination of Katcha bandits must be ensured at all costs. He instructed the Chief Secretary to prepare a comprehensive development plan for Katcha areas, including roads, schools, hospitals, dispensaries, and transport facilities. He said development works would begin after the flood situation improves, adding that the construction of the Ghotki-Kandhkot bridge would open up the entire region. “Restoring law and order is the Sindh government’s top priority,” he affirmed.

Turning to Karachi’s water crisis, the CM ordered strict action against illegal tankers. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab briefed the meeting, stating that 243 illegal hydrants had been demolished, 212 FIRs registered, and 103 suspects arrested. He added that 3,200 tankers have been registered with QR codes, and revenue of Rs60 million has been added to the Water Board through recent reforms.

The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon, Secretary Home Iqbal Memon, Principal Secretary Agha Wasif, Commissioner Karachi Hassan Naqvi, Senior Member Board of Revenue Khalid Hyder Shah, Secretary Local Government Waseem Shamshad, Additional IGP Azad Khan, COO Water Board Asadullah Khan, and other officials.

Would you like me to **shorten this into a crisp news brief** for quick updates, or keep it as a **detailed report for print media**?